Method and apparatus for moving a knitting needle or the like of a shuttleless loom

ABSTRACT

A method of, and apparatus for, moving a knitting needle of a shuttleless loom, wherein the movements which are imparted from each of at least two drive mechanisms of the knitting needle are superimposed, and wherein for changing the movement of the knitting needle hook the individual movements imparted by the drive mechanisms of the knitting needle are changed.

Unlted States Patent 1191 1111 3,929,170

Miiller Dec. 30, 1975 [5 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOVING 3,499,474 3/1970 Pfarrwaller 139 122 5 A KNITTING NEEDLE OR THE LIKE OF A 3 3 5 SHUTTLELESS LOOM 3752195 x 3 [75] Inventor: Jakob M'liller, Prick, Switzerland 3,788,361 1/1974 3,811,479 5/1974 Gardella 139/124 A [73] Assrgnee: Ingenreurburo fur Maschinebau Jakob M'iiller, Frick, Switzerland Primary Exammer-Henry S. llaudon Flled? 1974 Attorney, Agent, or FirmDiller, Brown, Ramik & 21 Appl. No.: 434,991 2 [30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Jan. 24, 1973 Switzerland 984/73 A method of and apparatus for moving a knitting needle of a shuttleless loom, wherein the movements [52] U.S. Cl 139/124 A which are imparted from each f at least two drive [51] Int. Cl. D03D 47/42 mechanisms of the knitting needle are Superimposed7 {58] held of Search 139/122 R, 124 R, 124 A; and wherein for changing the movement of the knit- 66/6 ting needle hook the individual movements imparted by the drive mechanisms of the knitting needle are [56] References Cited Changed UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,495,632 11/1967 Arnold 139 124 A 10 Clam, 8 Draw'ng Fgures US. Patent Dec. 30, 1975 Sheet 1 of4 3,929,170

US. Patent Dec. 30, 1975 Sheet 2 of4 3,929,170

Fig. 2

US. Patent Dec. 30, 1975 Sheet3of4 3,929,170

US. Patant Dec. 30, 1975 She6t4 of4 3,929,170

J 37 36 \Tw1 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOVING A KNITTING NEEDLE OR THE LIKE OF A SHUTTLELESS LOOM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improved method of moving a knitting needle of a shuttleless loom as well as to a new and improved construction of apparatus for the performance of the aforesaid method.

In the case of shuttleless looms, such as for instance band or ribbon weaving machines, the weft or filling yarns, as is known, are inserted into an open shed by means of a filling yarn insertion element. The inserted filling yarn loop must be fixed at the side opposite the filling yarn insertion element. This fixation of the inserted filling yarn loop occurs, for instance, by forming a knitted edge with or without the aid of an auxiliary yarn or thread; wherein in known manner by means of a knitting needle or the like the filling yarns are tied with themselves or with the aid of an auxiliary yarn or thread.

Now it is of extreme importance that the tying of the filling yarn is completed with the utmost security. For the purpose of increasing the tying security it has already been proposed to impart to the filling yarn insertion element an additional movement at the side of the selvage, whereby the filling yarn or thread is inserted into the knitting needle hook. However, this additional motion requires a disadvantageous increase in the size of the shed.

Furthermore, it is known to the art for the purpose of improving seizing of the fillingand/or auxiliary yarn which is tied to move the knitting needle hook along a closed essentially O-shaped path of travel. With all of these state-of-the-art devices, it is not possible to, however, randomly alter the once fixed shape of the path of motion and the course of the motion of a knitting needle hook. However, this has been found to be disadvantageous, since the shape of such path of movement or travel and the course of the movement should be variable in accordance with :the nature of the woven product which is to be fabricated in order to be able to obtain all circumstances a product of increased quality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Hence, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved method of, and apparatus for, moving a knitting needle of a shuttleless loom in a manner which effectively overcomes the aformentioned drawbacks existing with the prior art proposals.

Another object of the present invention is directed to a method of, and apparatus for, moving the knitting needle in a manner which enables carrying out a change in the movement of such knitting needle both as a function of time and spatially.

Now in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the method aspects of this invention contemplate that the movements which are imparted to the knitting needle from each of at least two drive mechanisms are superimposed, and wherein for changing the movement of the knitting needle hook the individual ones of the movements imparted by the drive mechanisms of the knitting needle are changed.

As already alluded to above, the invention is not only concerned with the aformentioned method aspects, but also deals with a new and improved construction of apparatus for the performance thereof and which is manifested by the features that at least two drive mechanisms act upon the knitting needle, each of which drive mechanisms can be adjusted independently of the remaining drive mechanisms for the purpose of changing the movement imparted thereby to the knitting needle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIGS. 1-3 respectively depict an exemplary embodiment of apparatus for moving a knitting or weaving needle and shown in different operating positions:

FIGS. 4-6 respectively show different possible paths of motion or travel of the knitting needle hook;

FIG. 7 illustrates in front view a further exemplary embodiment of apparatus for moving a knitting needle; and

FIG. 8 is an end view of the modified construction of apparatus depicted in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, in FIGS. 1-3 there has been schematically illustrated. the warp threads or yarns 1 and 2 which have been opened into a shed, and which in known manner are moved by means of the schematically depicted heddles 3 and 4 of a not particularly illustrated shed forming mechanism. Reference numeral 5 designates the filling or weft thread which has been introduced into the open shed, reference numeral 6 the finished woven product, for instance a band or web, and reference character A the impact location of the not particularly illustrated weaving reed.

A knitting or weaving needle 8, constructed as a tongue or hook needle, is supported in a holder 7. This holder 7 is secured to a coupler or connecting rod 9 which is hingedly connected at one end by means of a hinge or pivot bolt 10 with a first lever 11 and at the other end by means of a further hinge or pivot bolt 12 with a second lever 13.

The first lever 11 is connected at its other end with a stationary shaft or axle 14 and is moved to-and-fro between two positions by means of a crank drive 15, as indicated by the double-headed arrow identified by reference character B. The crank drive 15 consists of, for instance, a disk 16 which is rotatably driven in the direction of the arrow C, and at which disk there is eccentrically secured a thrust or push rod 17 which is hingedly connected at its other end at location 17a with a lever 11 as shown.

A double-arm drive lever 18 engages with that end of the second lever 13 which is located opposite the pivot or hinge bolt 12, and such double-arm drive lever 18 is connected at one arm by means of a pivot or hinge pin 19 with the lever 13. The drive lever 18 is rotatably mounted about a stationary axle or shaft 20 and carries at the end of its other arm a roller or roll 21 which cooperates with a control cam surface 22a, 22b of a control disk or control cam 22 which is rotatably driven in the direction of the arrow D. A tension spring 23 or equivalent structure engages with the aforesaid other arm of the drive lever 18 which carries the roller 21, so that the roller 21 is pressed against the control disk or cam 22. This control cam 22 possesses two control cam sections or portions 22a and 22b which continuously merge with one another.

Now in the showing of FIG. 1 the knitting needle 8 has been illustrated in its retracted terminal position which it assumes, as illustrated, when the lever 11 is in its left terminal position and the roller 21 bears at the transition location between the control cam sections 22a and 22b at the control cam 22, with the result that the coupler 9 extends approximately parallel to the plane of the woven band or web 6.

During further rotation of the disk 16 and the control cam 22, the hook 8a of the knitting needle 8 moves along the phantomline illustrated path of travel 24.

As best seen by referring to FIG. 2, the lever 11 is rocked by a crank drive 15 out of its left terminal position towards its right terminal position, which essentially results in a forward movement of the knitting needle 8 in the direction of the finished woven band 6. Since additionally the roller 21 comes to bear against the control cam section 22b, the drive lever 18 is rotated under the action of the spring 23, so that the pivot pin 19 is raised and thus the lever 13 is shifted upwardly in its lengthwise direction. Consequently, the coupler or connecting arm 9 is placed into an inclined position, as shown.

The drive mechanism 13, 18, 21, 22 and 23 therefore serves to move the knitting needle 8 in a direction which is disposed essentially perpendicular to the direction which is imparted to the knitting needle 8 by the drive mechanism 11 and 15.

Due to superimposing of the movements imparted to the knitting needle 8 by both of the aforementioned drive mechanisms, the tip of the knitting needle moves forwardly along the lower half of the path of travel 24 (FIG. 2).

Now if the crank drive 15 has brought the lever 11 into its right terminal position, then the knitting needle 8 is located in its forwardmost position, from which it moves back during further rotation of the crank drive 15. At the same time, the control cam section 22a begins to act upon the roller 21, bringing about an axial displacement of the lever 13 downwardly and a rotation of the coupler 9 (FIG. 3). Now the tip of the knitting needle 8 moves back along the upper half of the path of travel 24, as best seen by referring to FIG. 3.

If the knitting needle has again reached its rear position (FIG. 1), then the described motion of the needle begins anew. As already mentioned, the motion which the drive mechanism 11 and 15 imparts to the knitting needle 8 and the motion which the drive mechanism l3, 18, 21 and 22 imparts to the knitting needle 8 are superimposed. By changing the individual drive mechanisms independently of one another, it is possible to change the individual motions imparted to the knitting needle spatially and in their mutual time dependency, with the result that the shape of the path of travel of the knitting needle hook can be randomly adjusted.

In FIGS. 4-6 there are schematically depicted different paths of motion 24a, 24b and 24c respectively, which can be realized in this way.

By changing the spacing between the point of connection of the thrust rod 17 at the disk 16 and the axis of rotation of the disk 16, it is possible to change the pivot angle of the lever 11. Consequently, the amplitude of the forward movement of the knitting needle 8 is influenced in the direction of the woven band 6.

By means of a different construction of the control cam surface 22a, 22b of the control cam 22, it is possible to change the magnitude of the axial displacement of the lever 13 as well as the dependency as a function of time of such axial displacement upon the pivotal movement of the lever 11. In this way the movement of the knitting needle 8 can be influenced in a direction which is approximately perpendicular to the direction of the woven band 6.

Depending upon the desired shape or form of the path of travel the knitting needle hook, it is possible to move the lever 11, instead of with a crank drive, also by means of a control cam or disk and a drive lever cooperating therewith. Conceptually, then, the disk 16 may also be considered in this case to constitute a control cam. In corresponding manner it is also possible to displace the lever 13 in its lengthwise direction by means of a suitable crank drive.

Instead of a rigid lever 13 which is hingedly connected by means of a pivot or hinge bolt 12 with the coupler 9 and by means ofa pivot pin 19 with the drive lever 18, there also can be employed a connection element formed of a plastic material of suitable elasticity which is connected at one end rigidly with the coupler 9 and at the other end rigidly with the drive lever 18. Since there is no longer present a hinge connection between the connection element and the coupler 9 and the drive lever 18, the connection element is elastically deformed depending upon the mutual position of the coupler 9 and the end of the drive lever 18.

It is also conceivable, instead of providing at the control cam 22, the control cam sections 22a and 22b, to construct the control cam 22 so as to possess a control groove or track in which there is guided the drive lever 18 with the end carrying the roller 21.

A further exemplary embodiment of apparatus for moving the knitting needle has been schematically shown in front view in FIG. 7 and in side view in FIG. 8.

The knitting needle 30 is supported by a knitting needle holder 31 which is secured to a roller 32. This roller 32 is rotatably seated upon a pin or journal 33 which is mounted at a drive lever 34. This drive lever 34 is rigidly connected for rotation with a stationary drive shaft 35. The drive lever 34 is moved to-and-fro i.e. reciprocated between two terminal positions by means of a not particularly illustrated drive mechanism which engages with the drive shaft 35. One terminal position has been shown in phantom lines in FIG. 7 and the other terminal position has been shown in full lines.

A hub 36 is mounted at the drive shaft 35 so as to be rotatable with respect thereto, this hub 36 carrying a roller or roll 37. A lever arm 38 is secured to the hub 36, this lever arm 38 carrying at its free end a rotatable feeder or scanner roller 39, as best seen by referring to FIG. 7. This feeler or scanner roller 39 cooperates with a control cam surface 40 of a control disk or cam 41 which is driven so as to rotate in any suitable manner, the control cam 41 having a control cam portion or raised cam portion 41a. The components 38, 39 and 40 can be considered to define power transmission means.

A tension spring 42 engages with the lever arm 38, this tension spring serving to press the feeler roller 39 against the control cam surface 40 of the control cam 41.

A drive or driving element 43, for instance a toothed belt, a steel band or wire, a flat belt and so forth, is trained over both of the rollers 32 and 37. This drive element is connected with both rollers 32 and 37 such that it does not slide upon these rollers.

The movement of the knitting needle holder 31 and thus the knitting needle 30 occurs on the one hand by virtue of the to-and-fro moved drive lever 34 and on the other hand by the rotation of the roller 37. This roller 37 is rotated with respect to the drive shaft 35 as soon as the feeler roller 39 runs onto the control cam portion 410 of the control cam 41. The rotation back of the roller 37 occurs when the feeler roller 39 runs off of the control cam portion 41a. Since the drive element 43 does not slide, the rotational movement of the roller 37 is directly transmitted through the freely rotatable roller 32. Together with the rotating roller 37 there correspondingly thus also rotates the roller 32 and the knitting needle hook holder 31.

In order to move the knitting or weaving needle, there is thus superimposed the to-and-fro movement imparted to the knitting needle by the drive lever 34 and the rotational movement imparted to the knitting needle by the roller 32.

Since both the pivot angle of the drive lever 34 as well as also the time course of the to-and-fro movement of the drive lever 34 can be adjusted independently of the amplitude and the course as a function of time of the rotational movement imparted to the roller 37, it is possible to move the tip of the knitting needle 30 along paths of travel of any desired shape.

The rotational movement of the roller 32 cannot only be influenced by changing the shape of the control cam 40, rather also by suitable selection of the diameters of the rollers 32 and 37.

With the described apparatus constructions, it is possible to move the hook of the knitting needle along a desired path of travel, so that in each instance there is insured for a positive seizing or catching of the inserted filling or weft edge by the knitting needle and a clean type or connection.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

Accordingly, what is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for moving a knitting needle having a hook of a shuttleless loom, said apparatus comprising at least two drive mechanisms for imparting movement to the knitting needle, each of said drive mechanisms being adjutable independently of the remaining drive mechanisms for changing the movement imparted by it to the knitting needle, the hook of the knitting needle being movable by means of a first drive mechanism essentially in the direction of the selvage of the woven article and by means of a second drive mechanism in a direction which is essentially perpendicular to such selvage, said first and second drive mechanisms being constituted by said at least two drive mechanisms, said first drive mechanism including a lever, a stationary shaft, said lever being rotatably mounted about said stationary shaft, and first drive means connected to said lever for moving said lever to-and-fro between two positions, a coupler having means for carrying the knitting needle, said lever being hingedly connected with said coupler adjacent one end of said coupler, said second drive mechanism including a substantially rodshaped connection element connected with said coupler adjacent an opposite end thereof, second drive means connected to said connection element for moving said connection element to-and-fro between two positions in its lengthwise direction to thereby pivot said coupler about its hinged connection with said lever.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first drive means is a crank drive means.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first drive means includes a control cam for controlling the movement of the lever.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the second drive means includes a drive lever, a second stationary shaft, said drive lever being rotatable about said second stationary shaft, a control cam, said drive lever being connected with the connection element and cooperating with said control cam which controls the pivotal movement of the drive lever.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the control cam has a control cam surface, said drive lever carrying a roller, a spring for urging the roller against the control cam surface of the control cam.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the connection element is in the form of a rod and said connections with both the coupler and the drive lever are hinged connections.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the second drive means includes crank drive means.

8. An apparatus for moving a knitting needle having a hook of a shuttleless loom, said apparatus comprising at least two drive mechanisms for imparting movement to the knitting needle, each of said drive mechanisms being adjustable independently of the remaining drive mechanisms for changing the movement imparted by it to the knitting needle, one of the drive mechanisms comprising a drive lever, an oscillating shaft, said drive lever being fixedly mounted on said oscillating shaft for movement to-and-fro between two positions, said drive lever carrying a journal having; an element rotatable thereon, said element having secured thereto a knitting needle, and the other drive mechanism of said at least two drive mechanisms being connected to said elements for rotating said element.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the rotatable element comprises a first roller rotatably mounted upon a pin defining said journal and secured to the drive lever, said other drive mechanism comprising transmission means and a second roller which is rotatable by means of said transmission means about said shaft, said second roller being connected via a drive element with the first roller in order to transmit the rotatable movement of the second roller to the first roller.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said transmission means comprises a lever having a feeler roller, and a cam against which bears said feeler roller. 1: 

1. An apparatus for moving a knitting needle having a hook of a shuttleless loom, said apparatus comprising at least two drive mechanisms for imparting movement to the knitting needle, each of said drive mechanisms being adjutable independently of the remaining drive mechanisms for changing the movement imparted by it to the knitting needle, the hook of the knitting needle being movable by means of a first drive mechanism essentially in the direction of the selvage of the woven article and by means of a second drive mechanism in a direction which is essentially perpendicular to such selvage, said first and second drive mechanisms being constituted by said at least two drive mechanisms, said first drive mechanism including a lever, a stationary shaft, said lever being rotatably mounted about said stationary shaft, and first drive means connected to said lever for moving said lever to-and-fro between two positions, a coupler having means for carrying the knitting needle, said lever being hingedly connected with said coupler adjacent one end of said coupler, said second drive mechanism including a substantially rod-shaped connection element connected with said coupler adjacent an opposite end thereof, second drive means connected to said connection element for moving said connection element toand-fro between two positions in its lengthwise direction to thereby pivot said coupler about its hinged connection with said lever.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first drive means is a crank drive means.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first drive means includes a control cam for controlling the movement of the lever.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the second drive means includes a drive lever, a second stationary shaft, said drive lever being rotatable about said second stationary shaft, a control cam, said drive lever being connected with the connection element and cooperating with said control cam which controls the pivotal movement of the drive lever.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the control cam has a control cam surface, said drive lever carrying a roller, a spring for urging the roller against the control cam surface of the control cam.
 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the connection element is in the form of a rod and said connections with both the coupler and the drive lever are hinged connections.
 7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the second drive means includes crank drive means.
 8. An apparatus for moving a knitting needle having a hook of a shuttleless loom, said apparatus comprising at least two drive mechanisms for imparting movement to the knitting needle, each of said drive mechanisms being adjustable independently of the remaining drive mechanisms for changing the movement imparted by it to the knitting needle, one of the drive mechanisms comprising a drive lever, an oscillating shaft, said drive lever being fixedly mounted on said oscillatiNg shaft for movement to-and-fro between two positions, said drive lever carrying a journal having an element rotatable thereon, said element having secured thereto a knitting needle, and the other drive mechanism of said at least two drive mechanisms being connected to said elements for rotating said element.
 9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the rotatable element comprises a first roller rotatably mounted upon a pin defining said journal and secured to the drive lever, said other drive mechanism comprising transmission means and a second roller which is rotatable by means of said transmission means about said shaft, said second roller being connected via a drive element with the first roller in order to transmit the rotatable movement of the second roller to the first roller.
 10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said transmission means comprises a lever having a feeler roller, and a cam against which bears said feeler roller. 